Care for your premature baby

Taking your premature baby home for the first time can feel overwhelming. Read our step-by-step guide to caring for your newborn.

Whether your baby's been in a Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) for days, weeks, or even months, you'll be both excited and daunted when it comes to taking her home at last.

When your baby's well enough to go home
Since the day she was born, you've been waiting to be told your baby's well enough to take home. But when that moment finally arrives, you find yourself almost as frightened as you are excited. After the high level of support you've had, it's natural to feel anxious and vulnerable. But remember, your baby's only being allowed out of hospital because she's feeding well and putting on weight.

You'll be given advice on how to administer any necessary medication and operate a breathing monitor and oxygen supply, if they're still needed. Many hospitals also have outreach teams of neonatal nurses who'll visit you at home, and you'll also get support from your health visitor.

It's good to talk
If you have any worries, talk to the unit's staff before you leave or call when you get home. Many parents keep in touch with the staff at the unit and go back for visits. Many hospitals also operate support groups and the charity BLISS (see below) can put families in touch with other people who've had premature babies.

At first, it'll be tiring and stressful having your baby at home and having the main responsibility for her, but things will improve as she gets older.


Tips for home life with your baby 
 
* Keep your baby in your room at night so you can keep an eye on her.
* Be aware of your baby's normal breathing and listen out for changes. 
* A Moses basket, carrycot or crib will feel more secure and comfortable for her than a full-size cot.
* Make a chart to remind you about when medication is needed, if necessary. 
* Find out the correct room temperature for your baby - all will have different needs. * Avoid contact with people with coughs or colds and dress her up warmly when you take her outside. 
* Follow cot death prevention guidelines, which recommend placing your baby on her back and in the 'feet to foot' position: her feet should be at the foot of the cot, and the cot should be made up so she can't wriggle down under the bedding.
* When you feel secure enough to do so, get a baby-sitter you trust - a friend of member of the family - to look after your baby, so you can go out for a couple of hours one evening. You must look after your own needs as an individual as well as those of your baby. 
* Stimulate your baby with musical mobiles and brightly coloured rattles. 
 

The future for your baby

Although research into the long-term effects of prematurity is still underway, the outlook for most early babies looks good. Figures show only one in 10 suffers any form of handicap as a result. With the right care and stimulation, babies born prematurely reach their milestones in the same order, but need more time to get there. They are unlikely to catch up developmentally until the age of two, or maybe longer.

Mums of premature babies find each milestone reached is even more miraculous than with other children. With your help, your baby's already  pulled through a difficult time and is heading for a bright future.

Getting support and info

Bliss, the premature baby charity runs a support group for parents of sick newborn and premature babies. It has a free helpline run by trained counsellors and offers advice and support. Call 0500 618 140, Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm, or visit www.bliss.org.uk for more info.